Football clubs in Saudi Arabia have already signed several star players some of which are Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
A chief at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has revealed that Saudi Arabia must start ‘working on’ signing Mohamed Salah.
The Saudi Pro League have been aiming to disrupt the footballing status quo during this summer’s transfer window. After Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo in January, offering the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star a contract worth €200 million per annum, Middle East outfits are prising more players to the region.
Karim Benzema has left Real Madrid and agreed a deal with Al-Ittihad and is expected to be joined by Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante. In addition, Ruben Neves has opted to depart Wolves to join Al-Hilal.
What’s more, Lionel Messi turned down a move to Saudi Arabia to instead make a move to Inter Miami.
Some have suggested that the country could prove to be one final payday for players. However, Hafez Al-Medlej – the head of the AFC marketing committee – has insisted that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are not interested in signings players ‘who are already finished’.
Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva is one player on their radar – and they want to prise Salah to Saudi whenever he decides to end his career with Liverpool.
According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, Al-Medlej reportedly said: “Messi is the best footballer at the moment and his incorporation would have provided great value. But we are not going to compensate him with a substitute player. Let’s hope that Bernardo Silva, from Manchester City will come.
“We must also start working on the signing of Mohamed Salah since he is overwhelmingly popular in the Arab world and in Europe. I think Salah still has records to break with Liverpool, so I think that if he doesn’t come now he will in the future”.
Liverpool signed Salah from AS Roma for a fee of £37 million in 2017. During his time at Anfield, he’s etched himself into club folklore having been a key player as Jurgen Klopp’s side lifted the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
The 31-year-old signed a new contract at Anfield last summer and committed his future until the summer of 2025.
In total, the forward has scored 186 goals and dished out 74 assists in 305 appearances for Liverpool. He’s the club’s Premier League record scorer and is placed fifth in the all-time list.
